Dialogue  1   Dialogue  2   Dialogue  3  

What  is  the  general        

area  of  concern  or  
opportunity?  

What  are  the        

observed  effects  
and  conditions  
(good  or  bad)?  

What  are  the        

consequences  of  
not  addressing  the  
concern  or  
opportunity?  

Write  a  simple        
statement  of  the  
observed  problem  
(symptom  and  
effect)  using  a  noun-­‐
verb  format.  State  a  
measurable  goal  for  
improvement.    

What,  if  any,        

opinions  or  
judgments  are  
included  in  the  
problem  statement?  
 What  if  any        
presumed  causes  
are  included  in  the  
problem  statement?  

Who,  or  what  is        

assigned  blame,  if  
any  by  the  problem  
statement?  

Identify  any        
presumed  solutions  
in  the  problem  
statement  

Are  there  multiple        

problems  included  
in  the  problem  
statement?  

Rewrite  the        
problem  statement  
without  opinions,  
judgements,  blame,  
presumed  causes,  
solutions  or  
compound  elements